A Sustainable Path?: A study on the extent SMEs and their supply chain can benefit from a proactive approach
Authors
Ravn, Caroline Yepes ; Gustavsen, Emilie Rytoft
Term
4. term
Publication year
2015
Submitted on
2015-05-29
Pages
92
Abstract
Denne afhandling tager udgangspunkt i, at virksomheders samfundsansvar (CSR) er blevet en strategisk disciplin, men at SMV’er ofte møder særlige udfordringer: begrebet CSR er uklart, eksternt PR‑drevne tiltag kan overskygge interne processer, og interessenter samt regulering skaber pres, der kan gøre indsatsen reaktiv frem for proaktiv. I en dansk kontekst forstærkes dette af lovpligtig rapportering for de største virksomheder, mens SMV’er ikke er omfattet, og mange primært motiveres af moralske hensyn frem for dokumenterede forretningsgevinster. Afhandlingen formulerer derfor forskningsspørgsmålet: I hvilket omfang kan SMV’er og deres forsyningskæder drage nytte af en proaktiv CSR‑tilgang? Metodisk lægger studiet op til kvalitative casestudier af danske SMV’er (herunder Danefæ, Barbara I Gongini, Lasertryk og Fiberline) baseret på interviews og korrespondance, forankret i et teoretisk rammeværk om CSR‑definitioner, SMV‑karakteristika, proaktiv CSR, netværk og ressourceafhængighed, organisatoriske kapabiliteter, social kapital, supply chain‑ og risikostyring. Ambitionen er at belyse, hvordan systematisering af CSR‑processer kan understøtte proaktivitet, styrke relationer og tillid i forsyningskæden samt bidrage til strategisk konkurrenceevne og læring i SMV’er. Da de empiriske analyser og konklusioner ligger i senere kapitler, præsenterer dette uddrag ikke konkrete fund, men skitserer problemfelt, metode og det teoretiske grundlag for at vurdere potentielle gevinster ved proaktiv CSR i og på tværs af forsyningskæder.
This thesis begins from the premise that corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a strategic business concern, yet small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) face distinctive hurdles: the concept is ambiguously defined, PR‑driven external initiatives can overshadow internal processes, and stakeholder and regulatory pressures often push firms toward reactive rather than proactive responses. In Denmark, mandatory reporting applies to the largest companies but not to SMEs, and many SMEs cite moral motives over clear business advantages, shaping how CSR is prioritized. The central research question is: To what extent can SMEs and their supply chains benefit from a proactive CSR approach? Methodologically, the study proposes qualitative case studies of Danish SMEs (including Danefæ, Barbara I Gongini, Lasertryk, and Fiberline) using interviews and correspondence, anchored in a theoretical framework spanning CSR definitions, SME characteristics, proactive CSR, networks and resource dependence, organizational capabilities, social capital, and supply chain and risk management. The aim is to examine how systematizing CSR processes can foster proactivity, strengthen trust and relationships across the supply chain, and support strategic competitiveness and learning in SMEs. As the empirical analysis and conclusions appear in later chapters, this excerpt does not report results; instead, it outlines the problem space, methodological approach, and theoretical foundations for assessing the potential benefits of proactive CSR within and across supply chains.
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